Moveable tailpiece for attachment to a curb forming machine for producing low curb profiles

ABSTRACT

A moveable tailpiece for use in association with a slip form on a curb forming machine. The tailpiece is selectively rotatable from a parked position, away from the slip form, to an engaged position at the end of the slip form. The tailpiece has the profile corresponding to a lowered curb profile as required to form, for example, a driveway access or handicap ramps. Utilizing the tailpiece in a curb formation considerably reduces the amount of manual finishing work required to produce an acceptable curb.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/236,163 filed Sep. 29, 2000, incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a curb forming apparatus, and moreparticularly to an attachment to the slip form of a curb formingapparatus to produce low curb profiles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Self-propelled curb forming machines are well known, and have been inuse for several years. These machines typically form continuous curbsalong newly constructed roads and the like by causing concrete in aplastic or flowable state to be molded by a slip form mounted on themachine as it is propelled along the road. The plastic concrete hassufficient strength to retain the contour given to it by the slip form.An example of such a curb forming machine is the Commander IIImanufactured by Gomaco Inc.

A slip form typically has the profile of the desired profile of thefinished curb or finished curb and gutter. It is a common requirement ofcurb construction to accommodate ramps and driveways, particularly inresidential areas. To this extent, several methods have been developedto form the low profile curb required by, for example, a driveway. Theprior art discloses methods wherein a cut off plate is selectivelyplaced in the slip form in order to adjust the height of the finishedcurb. An example of one such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,797,958 issued to Lofaro (the Lofaro patent). A second example isCanadian Patent 2,043,773 issued to Cerquozzi et al. (the Cerquozzipatent).

In the Lofaro patent, the cut off plate is pivotally connected to therear end of the slip form so that it is lowered into place when a lowprofile curb is to be formed. The excess concrete that is separated bythe cut off plate is discarded or reclaimed for reuse.

The Cerquozzi et al. patent uses a plate within the slip form, which ismechanically or hydraulically lowered into the slip form in order toreduce the height of the curb portion.

In both of these methods, the finished curb does not have a smoothfinish and considerable manual effort is required in order to produce asmooth curb surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,431 issued to Colvard, provides a system wherein theslip form for a full curb is removed and a replacement slip form havinga new low curb profile is installed. This replacement operation requiresthat the curb forming operation stop during the replacement, and theresulting transition between the different profiles in the curb resultsin poor finish, again requiring considerable manual activity to providean acceptable finish.

Handwork with conventional systems requires that a skilled workman laysupporting lumber on both sides of the curb to support the curb duringtooling. Next, a finisher floats and tools the transition from a highcurb profile to a low curb profile and the entire dropped section. Theconcrete is then manually smoothed and finished. With a typical drivewayrequiring up to one half hour for manual finish, this is extremely timeconsuming and adds considerably to the total cost of the operation.

Therefore, there is needed a means to allow the formation of variouscurb profiles, eliminating the need for excess hand work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention alleviates the aforementioned limitations byproviding an attachment, known herein as a moveable tailpiece, for acurb forming machine, which is selectively rotatable into place on theback of the slip form. Preferably, this is effected via a hydrauliccylinder operating on a sprocket combination. The tailpiece is shaped tothe profile required by the low curb section, and because it is heldfirmly in place, provides a smooth finish to the concrete such that verylittle to no manual finishing is required.

Thus, according to one aspect, the invention provides a moveabletailpiece for a curb forming machine for producing low curb profiles.The curb forming machine comprises a slip form. The tailpiece is shapedfor rotation within the slip form between a parked position wherein thetailpiece is not in contact with the curb to be formed and an engagedposition wherein the tailpiece is in contact with the curb to be formed.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a method ofproducing a curb having a changeable profile. The method comprises thesteps of positioning a moveable tailpiece of a curbmachine to an engagedposition, wherein the tailpiece is in contact with the curb, thetailpiece having a profile corresponding with the modified profile ofthe drop curb to be produced, and propelling the curbmachine forwardover the area where the curb is to be produced.

There is a significant advantage in using a moveable tailpieceattachment in a curb forming machine. The tailpiece providesconsiderable savings in time and resources in the production of loweredcurbs for driveway access and handicap ramps and sidewalks, The moveabletailpiece also eliminates the need for floating and tooling droppedsections of curb. Since hand finishing is now only required at thetransition between profiles, the moveable tailpiece results inconsiderable saving of labor.

Other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the invention will bereadily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon a review ofthe following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a curb forming machine;

FIG. 2 shows the curb forming machine of FIG. 1 with a slip formproducing the standard curb profile;

FIG. 3 shows the curb forming machine of FIG. 1 with the tailpiece in anengaged position, and forming a curb of a new profile;

FIG. 4 shows a curb at the transition between the profiles of FIG. 2 andFIG. 3;

FIG. 4A illustrates the tailpiece of FIG. 3 in detail;

FIG. 4B illustrates a side view of the tailpiece of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the tailpiece of FIG. 3 in a parkedcondition;

FIG. 6 shows the tailpiece of FIG. 3 partially rotated between a parkedposition and an engaged position;

FIG. 7 shows the tailpiece of FIG. 3 in its engaged position on the slipform;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the tailpiece of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view illustrating the mounting of the tailpiece ofFIG. 3 to the curb forming machine; and

FIG. 10 illustrates the control circuit for the tailpiece of FIG. 3.

This invention will now be described in detail with respect to certainspecific representative embodiments thereof, the materials, apparatusand process steps being understood as examples that are intended to beillustrative only. In particular, the invention is not intended to belimited to the methods, materials, conditions, process parameters,apparatus and the like specifically recited herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows one example of a curb forming machine 10 such as theaforementioned Commander III by Gomaco Inc. It is to be understood,however, that the tailpiece described in this application will work oncurb forming machines manufactured by other companies, provided there issufficient clearance within the slip form for the tailpiece to berotated into position, as is described below. Preferably, the tailpieceis mounted to the slipform with an axis of rotation about 1 ft or 30 cmfrom the top of the curb so that when it is rotated to a workingposition, the tailpiece is about 1 ft or 30 cm behind the slipform.

The curb forming machine 10 is intended to be self propelled by tracks11, 13 and 15 so as to continuously form road side curbs and otherformations involving the continuous pouring of concrete in a plasticstate. The concrete is stored in a hopper 12 from which it is providedto the slip form mold 34 as discussed in the prior art.

FIG. 2 shows a profile of a high profile curb and gutter 16 b asproduced by a conventional slip form assembly 14. FIG. 3 illustrates thenew, low curb profile 16 a produced by the slip form after the tailpiece18 of the present invention, as described below, has been lowered intoposition. It will be apparent that the profile of FIG. 3 is suitable foruse as a driveway access and handicap ramps at sidewalks. It will alsobe apparent to one familiar with curb formation that the tailpiece 18can be manufactured with different profiles as dictated by the curbprofile required.

FIG. 4 illustrates the transition 16 c between the low curb and gutterprofile (dropped curb) 16 a produced by the slip form with the tailpiece18 and the high curb and gutter profile 16 b produced by the standardslip form 34. It can be observed from FIG. 4 that if the finish of boththe low profile 16 a and high profile 16 b curb and gutters is verysimilar, only minimal handwork at the transition 16 c will be requiredto produce a finished product. The slip form is best seen in FIGS. 5 to8. The slip form 34 is supported by two lateral members 20, 22 andsecured to two cross members 24, 26 creating the full slip form assembly14. The complete slip form assembly 14 is suspended from the frame ofthe curb forming machine 10 at the front of the hopper (not shown) andby the hydraulic cylinder 28 and threaded rods 29. The cylinder 28allows for a height and longitudinal angle adjustment and positive holddown of the slip form assembly 14. In use, concrete from the hopper 12enters the transition section 32 of the slip form 34 via chute 31 (seenin FIG. 1) and onto the ground. The profile of the slip form 34 thenshapes the concrete in the desired curb profile.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the tailpiece 18 of the present inventionis now described. The tailpiece 18 includes a profile 17 that contactsthe concrete during use. Two side plates 19, 21 are on either side ofthe profile. The backplate 23 includes a slot 25 to provide clearancefor the actuating bar 44. There is also a sloped extension plate 52attached to the front of the tailpiece that fits up inside the high curbsection of the slipform to ease the flow of concrete during slipformingof the drop curb portion of the work.

FIG. 5 illustrates in an expanded view the tailpiece 18 in its parkedposition wherein the tailpiece 18 is not in contact with the curb 16 orthe slip form 14. It can be observed that the profile 17 of thetailpiece 18 corresponds to the curb profile shown in FIG. 3 as requiredby a driveway access or handicap ramp at a sidewalk. Again, it is to beunderstood that this profile is selected for this particularapplication, but different profiles could be contemplated according tothe application.

FIG. 6 shows the tailpiece 18 in a partially rotated position betweenthe parked position and the engaged position. As shown in FIG. 6, therotation is brought about by activation of hydraulic cylinder 40connected to the sprocket assembly 42, best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9. Asthe plate 44 attached to the hydraulic cylinder 40 is moved rearwardly,the sprocket assembly 42 rotates the lateral rod 46. The tailpiece 18 ismounted to the lateral rod by arms 41, 43 such that rotation of thelateral rod causes the tailpiece 18 to rotate from the parked positionof FIG. 5 through the intermediate position shown in FIG. 6 to theengaged position shown in FIG. 7, wherein the tailpiece is in contactwith the back edge of the slip form 14 and the curb and gutter 16. Theplate 45 on top of the sprocket assembly 42 further prevents concretefrom collecting in the slots of the sprockets 42.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the tailpiece 18. The threaded rod stops 48 aand 48 b on either side of the tailpiece, only one being visible in FIG.8, are used to adjust the tailpiece 18 for proper finish when it isengaged as seen in FIGS. 3 and 7. This adjustment allows the tailpiece18 to be positioned firmly against the slip form 14 and locked withconstant pressure against the back edge of the slip form plate 34, sothat the tailpiece 18 cannot be moved by the force of the concreteentering the slip form in the engaged position. There are also largeadjustment bolts 50 best seen in FIG. 5, connected to the cylinder 40 toallow adjustment of the applied force on the tailpiece 18. The locationof the full out extension of the cylinder 40 must be adjusted to ensurethat only sufficient force is applied to hold the tailpiece 18 in placewithout causing damage to the remainder of the slipform.

Cylinder 40 is equipped with stop blocks 47 (best seen in FIG. 9) thatprevent the cylinder 40 from over-rotating the tailpiece into theslipform. The cylinder 40 retracts, causing the tailpiece to move fromits engaged position to its parked position, as described above.However, cylinder 40 has the ability to retract indefinitely, along withthe tailpiece, until the tailpiece contacts the slipform, resulting indamage to the slipform. To prevent this, the stop blocks 47 are used tolimit the shaft of the cylinder 40 from retracting too far back. Ingeneral, the more stop blocks added to the cylinder 40, the more limitedthe retractive stroke becomes. The blocks 47 are available in a varietyof widths to allow the retractive stroke length to be finely adjusted.

FIG. 10 illustrates the control circuit for the tailpiece actuatorcylinder 40. The control circuit includes a pressure compensatedvariable displacement pump, which is a pump that will only pump whenthere is flow in the circuit. That is, if a valve opens, then the pumpbegins to pump. If the valve controls a cylinder and the cylinder topsor bottoms out, then the pump will stop pumping because there is noflow, but the pressure in the circuit will always be at maximumpressure. Preferably, the pump operates at a pressure of 2200 psi whencontrolling cylinders.

The oil flow through the valve 62 controls the direction of the cylinder40, to allow the tailpiece 18 to rotate between the parked and engagedpositions.

The valve 62 has an indent in the handle (not shown) so that it lockswhen the tailpiece is in the engaged position. This ensures that fullpressure on the tailpiece is engaged. Full pressure on the tailpiece 18prevents the concrete from pushing the tailpiece 18 up, resulting in apoor finish. In the reverse position (ie: when the tailpiece is in theparked position), a locking indent is not needed since full pressure isnot required to keep the tailpiece in its parked position. Therefore,the valve in this position could be spring-loaded, to ensure that thevalve 62 returns to its neutral position after the tailpiece is parked.

Two needle valves 64A and 64B are added to the circuit to control thespeed of the cylinder 40, and hence the tailpiece 18. A high flowingpump (˜10-20 gpm) will cause the cylinder 40 move at high speeds,causing the tailpiece 18 to slam in both directions. The higher the pumpflow, the faster the cylinder speed. The needle valves 64A and 64Bcreate a smaller opening (which is preferably adjustable) for the oil toflow through, which reduces the flow of the oil and in turn reduces thespeed of the cylinder 40.

The cylinder 40 is connected to the tailpiece 18 via a linkage asdescribed earlier, which controls the movement of the tailpiece 18. Whenoil enters the back port, the rod of cylinder 40 extends, rotating thetailpiece 18 into the engaged position. When oil enters the front port,the rod of cylinder 40 retracts, rotating the tailpiece 18 back into itsparked position.

Although a hydraulic cylinder 40 operating on a sprocket 42 combinationis illustrated in the figures, it will be apparent to one skilled in theart that other ways of rotating the tailpiece 18 from a parked positionto an engaged position and maintaining its position can be used. Forexample, the tailpiece 18 could be rotated into place manually andlocked there by bolts or other fastening means. It is also contemplatedthat a hydraulically operated rotary actuator could be used.

Referring to FIG. 9, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, hangers49 are used to secure the slip form 34 to the lateral side members 20,22. The tailpiece 18 is mounted on the conventional slip form 34 onlyvia the lateral rod 46, which is rotatably mounted to the slip form 34In this way, adjustment of the slip form does not require readjustmentof the tailpiece.

As best seen in FIG. 4A, the tailpiece 18 has a sloped section 52 at theleading edge of the low profile portion 54 that co-operates with thefactory supplied slip form 34 so that concrete flows smoothly into thetailpiece 18.

As mentioned above, the tailpiece can be factory made to any desiredcurb profile.

In operation, the tailpiece can be used alone or in conjunction with acut-off plate. According to a preferred process, when a low profilesection such as a driveway access is to be poured, the factory suppliedcut-off plate is first used to lower the profile. Typically, a cut-offplate (not shown) is mounted on top of the slipform perpendicular to theframe rails 20, 22 and is controlled by cylinder 51, seen in FIG. 5. Thecut-off plate is then engaged and the tailpiece 18 is rotated intoengaged position, and used to further lower the profile. This procedureallows the height of the curb profile to be reduced prior to use of thetailpiece 18, resulting in a smoother finish. Alternately, the machinecould be stopped at the point where a curb with reduced height isrequired and concrete removed manually to allow the tailpiece 18 to berotated into place.

As noted above, the tailpiece 18 according to this invention providesconsiderable savings in time and resources in the production of a fullcurb and gutter and a lowered curb for driveway access and handicapramps and sidewalks. The use of the tailpiece instead of a cutout plateor in conjunction with a cut-off plate as discussed above minimizes theamount of handwork required to achieve a smooth finish. The newtailpiece 18 also eliminates the need for floating and tooling droppedsections of curb formations. Therefore, since hand finishing is now onlyrequired at the transition between profiles, the new tailpiece resultsin considerable saving of labor.

While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described, itwill be apparent to one skilled in the art that numerous changes can bemade without departing from the intended spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

Numerous modifications may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of continuously producing a curb havinga changeable profile, the method comprising the steps of: using a slipform within a curb forming machine to form a curb of a first profile;rotating a moveable tailpiece within the slip form from a parkedposition wherein the tailpiece is not in contact with the curb to anengaged position wherein the tailpiece is in contact with the curb, thetailpiece having a profile corresponding with a modified profile of thecurb to be produced; and propelling the curbmachine forward over theformed curb to form a curb of a second profile which is lower than thefirst profile.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step ofhydraulically locking the tailpiece in the engaged position.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the tailpiece is shaped for rotation withinthe slip form of the curb forming machine between a parked positionwherein the tailpiece is not in contact with the curb and the engagedposition wherein the tailpiece is in contact with the curb.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the tailpiece is hydraulically positionedbetween the parked and engaged position.
 5. In a curb forming machine ofthe type having a frame, means to advance the frame forward, a hoppermounted to the frame for carrying concrete in a plastic state and a slipform for receiving the concrete from the hopper and forming a curb of afirst profile from the concrete, a tailpiece mounted to the frame andshaped for rotation within the slip form between a parked positionwherein the tailpiece is not in contact with the curb and an engagedposition wherein the tailpiece is in contact with the curb forcontinuously forming a curb of a second profile, the second profilebeing lower than the first profile.
 6. The tailpiece of claim 5, whereinthe tailpiece is shaped in accordance with a desired curb profile to beformed.
 7. The tailpiece of claim 6, wherein the tailpiece ishydraulically rotated between the parked position and the engagedposition by means of a hydraulic cylinder.
 8. The tailpiece of claim 7,wherein the hydraulic cylinder includes a stop block to limit theretractive stroke of the cylinder.
 9. The tailpiece of claim 7, whereinthreaded rod stops allow the application of a constant pressure againstthe slip form to hold the tailpiece in the engaged position.
 10. A curbforming machine comprising: a frame; means to advance the frame forward;a hopper mounted to the frame for carrying concrete in a plastic state;a slip form for receiving the concrete from the hopper and forming acurb of a first profile from the concrete; and a tailpiece mounted tothe frame and shaped for the rotation within the slip form between aparked position wherein the tailpiece is not in contact with the curband an engaged position wherein the tailpiece is in contact with thecurb for continuously forming a curb of a second profile, the secondprofile being lower than the first profile.
 11. The machine of claim 10,wherein the tailpiece is shaped in accordance with a desired curbprofile to be formed.
 12. The machine of claim 11 further comprising ahydraulic cylinder to hydraulically rotate the tailpiece between theparked position and the engaged position.
 13. The machine of claim 12,wherein the hydraulic cylinder includes a stop block to limit theretractive stroke of the cylinder.
 14. The machine of claim 12, furthercomprising threaded rod stops allow the application of a constantpressure against the slip form to hold the tailpiece in the engagedposition.